Deer, by far. I don't usually turkey hunt at all. Turkey hunting is okay, I get hungry for a wild turkey once in a while and I go shoot one but it's not something I look forward too leading up to every season like deer hunting.
Archery deer and coyotes are 50/50. Still like archery bear but have killed enuff where the excitement is fading.
I used to feel this way too, however, in the past few years I've really taken a liking to turkey hunting. If you look at it the right way, turkey hunting can be everything that I wish deer hunting was. It's generally warmer out, it's a bit easier to be successful, you don't have to worry much about killing a certain age class of bird, you're not planting food plots or doing crazy amounts of prep-work, and if you're like me you get to sit in a blind and enjoy a mug of hot coffee while watching the world come to life on a Spring morning. As for which animals I like to hunt - whitetail deer is my drug of choice.
I enjoyed hunting them in my youth.... the smell of the Bar, peanut shells underfoot, neon crackling and humming as I look over the evenings options. 930 Yager shots? Too easy....corner booth and keeps checking the door? Nope (note to self watch for a no show). 1 hot girl with 1 troll and 1 hog respectably ....target acquired Wait I might have taken this in the wrong context.
Elk hunting is way more fun than anything I have hunted in the midwest. Just enjoy the different style
Waterfowl is probably my favorite to hunt with deer being a close second. Waterfowl hunting is pretty much a combination of the best part of all other hunts. As far a deer, I enjoy the time and work I can put in year round, scouting, setting up cameras, shed hunting etc.
I’d have to say it’s a dead tie between waterfowl and whitetail deer. But...... my waterfowling Mecca’s have seem to run dry in recent years. Used to kill many limits a season and see tons of waterfowl and now it’s like a foggy memory.
Archery deer by far for me. I’ve dabbled in waterfowl and think I’d really enjoy it but I’ve had a hard time finding a seasoned waterfowler to go with and learn the ropes.
I completely agree with the "seasoned waterfowler" statement. I first started by going with a buddy in high-school who had all the equipment, I was pretty much and extra gun lol. The only thing I knew how to do was wingshoot; when it came to calling, setting up the decoys, or finding a good spot I was useless. After multiple years of hunting with him I slowly started to buy my own equipment and learn to call. I quickly caught the bug and spent hours researching decoy spreads, different calls, and food sources. There is so much more cleanup/setup that goes into duck hunting imo. Duck hunting is no easy adventure but with a good group of friends and some of the right equipment it's a blast.